Top Ways To Bring Middle Earth To St. Louis

December 10, 2012 7:00 AM

(credit: Mark Pokorny/Warner Bros. Pictures)

“The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” comes to St. Louis on December 14, 2012. There are some Tolkien fanatics who are anxiously awaiting the event and looking for ways to celebrate this creation of the Middle Earth fantasy. Join the fun, get lost in the magic of the great classic and celebrate Middle Earth in St. Louis.

Tolkien fans are awaiting the release of the Peter Jackson film, “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” This film is the prequel to Jackson’s award-winning trilogy films, “Lord of the Rings.” December 14, 2012 marks the release date that fans can view the film in theaters across the area. The movie stars trilogy favorites Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Evangeline Lilly, Cate Blanchett and Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins, among others. Join Baggins on his epic quest to reclaim the Kingdom of Erebor from Smaug, the terrifying dragon, and get lost in the fantasy and characters that make Tolkien stories the classics they are.Related:Top Spots For Film Buffs In St. Louis

(photo credit: mcarthurs.com)

McArthur’s Bakery
Three locations in the St. Louis area
(314) 894-0900www.mcarthurs.com

No party is complete without a buffet of goodies to nourish enthusiastic partygoers. Hobbits have great appetites and a Hobbit party menu should consist of typical hobbit food. Mushrooms, mince pies and blackberry tarts are staples in a hobbit diet. Vegetables, fruits, cheese and pickles also have a prominent place in “The Hobbit” party menu planning. And don’t forget about the wine and beer, as festivities are likely to be more high spirited with adult libations. Every party menu needs a coveted and spectacular dessert, so why not order a special custom cake to fit the theme of the event? McArthur’s Bakery has three locations, South County, Kirkwood and Creve Coeur, to serve Middle Earth celebrations all over the St. Louis area. Not only can this bakery make specialty cakes, it can help with deli items and pastries as well. McArthur’s can be your one-stop shop for hobbit cuisine. Cake prices start at $11.45 and extra charges apply for specialized sizing orders.

If you’re looking for a customized costume for your customized Middle Earth-themed party, look to B Incognito. This spot specializes in themed events with a customized touch. Your costumes can be made to your specific specifications and you will be the hit of the party. You can even make a costume for your pet, a very unique touch for Middle Earth-themed celebrations. Greg and Elise Rhodes have been dedicated to helping others celebrate the fun and fantasy of costumes for 15 years. Give them a call and begin designing your Tolkien fantasy costume.

St. Louis Community College students have created their own forum for celebrating Tolkien and his Middle Earth. Since 2007, under the direction of Paul Nygard, PhD, the Tolkien Adventure Community was formed by students who wanted to take the love of the great works beyond the classroom. They meet twice monthly to enjoy movies, trivia nights, host tutorials on Dungeons and Dragons, attend lectures, organize book discussions based on mythology writings and catch up on the latest movie news. Since 2008, the group has traveled to New Zealand to visit film locations from Jackson’s trilogy and future trips are planned in 2013. Students who have an interest in immersing themselves in the Middle Earth subculture can contact Dr. Nygard at pnygard@stlcc.edu or visit the website for further details.

On November 6, 2012 Denny’s restaurants across the country launched a menu complete with 11 clever, Middle Earth-named items for breakfast, lunch and dinner to celebrate the release of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.” The partnership between Warner Brothers and Denny’s is designed to generate buzz for the film’s release. Drop in and enjoy dishes like Hobbit Hole Breakfast, Frodo’s Pot Roast Skillet and Build Your Own Hobbit Slam, which includes favorites like Pumpkin Patch Pancakes, Shire Sausage and Seed Cake French Toast. A collectible trading card comes with every meal and diners are encouraged to collect all 12 different cards. There are at least 26 Denny’s locations in the St. Louis area. The special “The Hobbit” menu is expected to be available through the holiday season.

Lisa Payne-Naeger, a native of the St. Louis area, is a freelance writer, blogger, political activist and a homeschooling mother of two children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.